BOARD OF INDUSTRIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17289, 3 October 1916, Page 4

BOARD OF INDUSTRIES.

EXECUTIVE MAKES PLANS. REPORTS ON TARIFF NEEDS Tv ANTED. The executive committee of the newly formed Board of Industries mot- Inst, night in the rooms of tho Industrial Association. . Tho president (Mr. J. A. Frostick) wrote apologising for his inability to attend owing to indisposition, and suggesting that tho executive might elect a permanent chairman, owing to hie frequent absence from Christchurch, although ho could still retain the presidency. Mr A. W. Jamieson was elected chairman, but in taking the clmir suggested that a larger meeting should consider tho appointment of- a permanent chairman. Ho went on to speak of the great success of tho public meeting licra by tho board, and its highly representative nature, and suggested that it now remained .to map out a careful programme, placing one or two sections at a time on -a satisfactory footing. He invited a discussion on tho poliev in this respect. The secretary (Mr It. S. Badger) said that, in a ineuiorancluna, Mr BrosticK bad suggested that* tho beard should provo to the public that ncnuiug in the movement would tolerate expensive cost of production through lack ot proper appliances and newest methods. A return should bs prepared ot the principal industries carried on in Now Zealand, showing tho amount ot money invested in land, plant and buildings per unit of worker in each trade, and compare it with Australia. A scheme 'of industrial inquiry should also be prepared on the lines followed in the United Kingdom, namely, that immediately after the war a commission ot employers and workers for each industry should travel to learn the conditions of labour, method of production and appliances used by other countries from which it was thought that something might bo learned. - . Tho suggestion was. endorsed by the chairman, and the secretary was 10onnsted to- obtain the information. Mr T. N. Horsley spoko of the needof tariff reform, suggesting that tho Government might easily impose a tariff commensurate to the needs of tho caee, whereby now industries might be established before the end of the war. , In replv to a question tho chairman snid that nothing had been demo m tho other centres to establish a Boaic of Industries, but Canterbury had ioiwarded its plan of campaign to each centre, with a view to concerted action. Auckland had set up a com mi - tee to. consider tho plan, and lie had no doubt that a board would be sot up. Ho agreed with Mr Horsley that tho time was opportune to establish new industries, and the Government should be impressed with the need for protection, after tho matter had been discussed in detail by the sections. Mr J. Black said that as convenor of one of tho sections he had issued a largo number of queries, among other things what disability each trade or industry suffered under in connection with the tariff; whether they paid duty on raw material which might be produced in the Dominion, and what goods if any could bo produced in New Zealand with a little assistance, ilie present difficulty was to procure material, at present obtainable from foreign countries, which might be produced in New Zealand with a slight y higher tariff. For instance, ho could make three-ply veneer as good as anj in tho world with a little help. Tlicio was also a great need for tho raw material of plate-glass. At present.a poor quality was coming from America, although Japan was entering tho field with, it was hoped, a better quality. The best glass had come hitherto from Charleroi, in Belgium, -but that source of supply was stopped. His section would probably have a valuable report in duo course. Mr W. F. Soper, convener of the printing section, said that his trade had a central executive, which would be able to assist tho section greatly, but a report was not yet available. The New Zealand duty on foreign printed matter was 3d a lb. while in Australia it was 8d or lOd a fb. Tho chairman suggested t-lrnt each section should be asked' to report on its tariff needs to the next meeting. Tire suggestion was agreed to. Tho North Canterbury Farmers’ Union wrote agreeing to receive a deputation from the board on -October 2o at 2.30 p.m. Tho chairman said that it was important to have three farmer delegates on the board when tariffs were being considered. It was also important to secure representation from the Trades and Labour Council. It was resolved to ask the Trades and Labour Council to elect delegates. Mr J. Keir snid that the matter of tariff reform had been well ventilated publiclv, and it would he wise to take another tack, to indicate that the board did not exist merely to fleece the public through a high tariff. Profossor Easterfield was going to a duress the Canterbury Philosophical Institute on Wednesday night on scientific research. and it was probable he would deal "with new industries. Tf his address squared with the policy of the hoard lie might be asked to speak publiciv under tfie auspices.of the board. The matter wns left in the hands of Messrs Keir and Black.